Rachel sat beside me at the desk while I unfolded the letter I had received four years ago.
Evan,
By the time you read this, I’ll already be gone. I need a life that doesn’t revolve around waiting for you to decide what you want.
I’ve met someone who can offer stability, and I’m choosing that. Please don’t come looking for me. Please don’t make this harder.
Rachel.
She stared at it.
“I didn’t write that.”
“I know that now.”
“No,” she whispered, leaning closer. “I mean, I didn’t even use that phrase.”
“What phrase?”
“Offer stability.” Her face changed. “Your mother said that to me once.”
The room seemed to tilt.
“My mother?”
Rachel folded her arms tightly. “A week before you left for Chicago, she came by the bookstore where I worked. She was polite. Very polite.
She asked what my plans were after you moved. I said we were figuring it out. She told me long-distance relationships needed more than feelings. They needed stability.”
